Increasing Hookup Ratios with Tenkara

It’s pretty simple math: a heavy wire hook + a soft-tipped rod = a lower hookup ratio. Physics is physics after all. Yet, for the longest time, this obvious formula eluded me (or, rather, deceived me). When I first started fishing the tenkara method (the “real” tenkara method), I was getting plenty of strikes, but only positively hooking and landing about 50% of my fish. In western fly fishing, we would call these “refusals”. But they’re not refusals when you can feel them on the line but fail to hook up. The fish obviously wanted the fly but I was doing something wrong. So, I thought there must be some other explanation. I had some theories and tested them. Here is what I experimented with and what eventually worked…

Suspect #1: Thick Wire Hooks

Anyone who follows this blog knows that I generally prefer heavy wire hooks because they help flies sink without adding extra weight (which is typically considered antithetical to traditional tenkara fly design). And while they do sink well and get the fly in “the zone”, they pose the problem of being difficult to set with tenkara rods that have relatively soft tips (compared to western rods). Some will say that fish hook themselves. I’d refine that to say the fish “try” to hook themselves but our choice of hook and rod can influence how successful they are in their suicide. I was having plenty of fish hit my flies, but just couldn’t stick them for some reason. So, naturally, I assumed that maybe the thickness of the hook was to blame. Maybe switching to a lighter wire hook would make a difference? Octopus Hook (left) vs. Ayu Hook (right) …

In Japan, many anglers use Ayu hooks because they’re made of a very thin wire that you’d think would get much better penetration with a soft tipped rod. It seems to make sense but it doesn’t pan out in reality. This is because no matter how good the quality, thinner wire is just “springier” than thicker wire by nature. If you consider that fish can potentially hit a fly from an infinite number of angles when presented to in the traditional tenkara way, there are lots of ways to not get the hook point in just the right position for a solid hookup. So even if you set the hook by lifting your rod, a springy hook can very effectively push it right back out of the fish’s mouth. In my experimentation, switching to thin wire hooks didn’t increase my hookup ratio at all.

Suspect #2: The barb

There’s no doubt that a barbed hook makes it more difficult to get a good hookset. It’s a piece of raised metal whose friction has to be overcome in order to securely hook fish in the mouth. I can automatically exonerate this suspect since I’ve only fished barbless hooks for as long as I can remember for both fresh and saltwater species and haven’t lost a single fish because of it. But, it was good to throw the barb in the lineup just to get a more objective ID from the witnesses.

Suspect #3: The Presentation

So, what else could it be if we eliminate friction and hooking power? My next guess was that maybe I was moving the fly too fast and didn’t give the fish a chance to really take it. I’ve got a lot of experience pulling the fly out of the mouths of bonefish, trout, bass, and other species so maybe my typical M.O. was a good suspect. When I first started fishing sakasa kebari, I showed Daniel from Tenkara USA my technique. I was catching fish but he told me that I was moving the fly too erratically and that it would only get the attention of smaller fish. Once I slowed it down a little, I found this to be true. I was “getting the attention of “bigger fish” but my hookup ratio was still at about 50%. I had a way to go.

The Perp!

After a lot of experimentation, I finally figured out what it was. Me! I was moving the fly too fast. I’ve found that gently pulsing the fly down or cross stream one to two times per second gets the fish interested enough, yet also gives them enough time where the fly is “dead” to take it. There’s a rhythm to it that you can fid if you are willing to just play around with it enough. And I’m sure there are different rhythms for different rivers and different trout. This has made a big difference in the fish that “I feel strike” vs. “I land”. If you’re having the same problem I did, I suggest slowing down your presentation a little and see if it makes a difference. It sure did for me.

About the author

Jason Klass

Jason is an avid fly angler and backpacker. As a former fly fishing guide originally from Western New York, he moved to Colorado and became an early adopter of tenkara which perfectly suited the small, high altitude streams and lakes there. He has not fished a Western-style fly rod for trout since.

More Ayu hooks on the way with slightly thicker wire and less “spring”. Here are some of my thoughts:

By pausing slightly longer you give the fish a chance to turn with the fly. This gives the hook more chance to get round into the scissors. So I do agree with Daniel and the Tenkara Masters with regards to slowing it down.

Western style down and across with spider patterns produces plucks when you are in very tight contact with the fly. Again because I feel the fish has not had a chance to turn. There is not enough slack in the line to allow it.

There is an old piece of advise when striking a dry fly. Say “God save the Queen” then strike. I think I heard it from my father as a young lad. It goes to the same wisdom.

The term “sticky sharp” is applied to some hooks. They are so sharp that they penetrate easily. I do believe that long fine points are an advantage to solid hook ups. That’s points, not the entire hook wire. A heavier wire will give weight and rigidity but you still get the “sticky sharp” if the point is long and thin.

My belief is that good technique and presentation along with good hook design all play a part in increasing hook up rates.

Thank you for posting this thought provoking blog.

June 14, 2012 at 7:17 pm

JDSmith

Very well said. “God save the Queen” It does work, been using it for decades! More people need to slow down to hook up more.

I agree with you (Daniel), Chris and Jason. The timing is everything and you simply have to adjust your style to the conditions e.g. water clarity, water speed, water temperature, water depth, time of day, type of fish and so on and so on. The timing is the difference. I’ve often said “tenkara is simple” but after all mastering the techniques are not always so.

Another thing I will add is that a hook hone is god for consistent hook up. Keep those hook points fine and sharp. They are on the market for a reason!

Early on, infeelnthese conclusions to be spot on–the only thing for me is I’ve yet to wet a true Tenkara fly.

Next outing . . .

June 16, 2012 at 1:21 am

craig

“the sound of one hand clapping”

listen to the pointers, but it isn’t prescriptive – these are guides, and it will never be a “this plus this equal catch a fish”. if you are open to the answers, they will come – they are there if pay attention. this requires willingness to experiment, time, and lots of practical experience. always changing, with seasons and conditions, let alone geography and rivers. finding the keys is the greatest joy.

I’ve always fished upstream, never down and across and only ever across when streamer fishing. As someone who is new to Tenkara this down & across thing is going to take some getting used to, I’ve been trying my best for years to convince anglers I see on the rivers in Scotland to turn around and face upstream.

It makes sense to me that if the fly is on a tight line the the fish are less likely to be hooked, I see this all the time with anglers fishing D&A which is one of the reasons I try to turn them round, it rarely works, they’re so stuck in there ways.

Does anyone fish upstream using Tenkara ?

I think the comments are interesting and should be of value to me once I’m out with the Tenkara gear so as always, thanks!

July 3, 2012 at 7:52 am

Jason Klass

I fish upstream and if you watch some of the videos on Youtube, Japanese tenkara anglers do too. It all just depends on the situation. But I fish upstreams sometimes with the same pulsing technique and it works.

July 9, 2012 at 9:56 pm

Bob Foresti

…on many of PA’s small mountain streams with staircase-like bedrock pool structure one must fish upstream in order to fool the wise old brookies…

Hi Jason,
Sorry to read of your early retirement from Tenkara, but totally understand your decision. When I was in the corporate world, had I had the for sight to do the same, life may have been quite different. Not complaining mind you, because retirement is great after 50+years of paying dues.
I’m also from western New York a place called Niagara Falls. I’ve just recently picked up this new addiction called Tenkara and have already been main lining some of the streams up here in Estes Park. Going into RMNP tomorrow with a good friend to try for Grand Slam. Just have a coupe of quick questions for you.
1. Has anyone to your knowledge ever made a level line out of Hi Vis Power-Pro braided line? It’s seems to me it might work, or does the lack of stretch make it undesirable?
2. I work at Scot’s Sporting Goods in Estes Park during Jun thru Aug and in talking & showing Scot my new found addiction we came to the same conclusion that Tenkara might be the perfect novice solution to educate beginner or vacationing fly fishers here in EP the great sport of Fly Fishing. We offer guided trips on a daily basis and it seems this “new?” method of fishing fun would be just what folks are looking for.
I know your probably still juggling your life, job and fishing addictions, but if you get a chance to respond it would be great appreciated.
Tight lines & hook sets,
Robert Traver

August 20, 2012 at 4:43 pm

Jason Klass

Hi Robert,
Well I lived just south of Buffalo so we were practically neighbors! About the braided line–it’s too supple to turn over well in tenkara. Fluorocarbon is about the best line you can use.

I think tenkara would be perfect for people visiting the park and wanting to get into fly fishing. I used to guide up there and western fly fishing was so frustrating for so many of my clients. I wish I had know about tenkara back then because I could have gotten them into fish much more easily. If the shop is interested in doing something with tenkara, email me and we can discuss. I’m always interested in promoting tenkara any way I can.

What about rod stiffness and line lenght? with stiff rods i loose fewer fish. Which is your experience?

August 29, 2012 at 5:36 am

Jason Klass

Yes, it seems like stiffer rods make it easier to set the hook. Unfortunately for me, I like softer rod action better so that doesn’t do me much good. I now think that more fish are lost due to late strike detection rather than actually setting the hook in the fishes mouth. trout hooks are pretty thin so they don’t have to overcome as much friction as something like a bass hook. Not that much force is required. I really think as long as you notice the strike at the right time, you can hook the fish–even with a soft rod.

Jason Klass is a former fly fishing guide & casting instructor based in Colorado. He was an early adopter of tenkara in the West and has been fishing the method for a variety of species since 2009. Read more >>

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